According to Sapo.pt, Portuguese mobile operator TMN has extended its trials of Long Term Evolution (LTE) to the northern city of Braga; the cellco launched its initial 4G tests in Cascais in April, following laboratory-based 4G demonstrations in Lisbon and Aveiro, in March and April 2010 respectively. Whilst the Cascais demonstration saw 18 4G base stations rolled out by Huawei, the latest trial has utilised equipment installed by Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN). During the trial, patrons of the Braga Park Mall can experience downlink transmission speeds of up to 150Mbps.

As previously reported by TeleGeography’s CommsUpdate, Portuguese telecoms regulator Autoridade Nacional de Comunicacoes (ANACOM) intends to hold a spectrum auction for LTE-suitable frequencies in June 2011. The public consultation regarding the draft regulations for the auction was launched on 17 March, and was open for submissions until 2 May. Frequency bands going under the hammer include: 450MHz, 800MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz and 2.1GHz and 2.6GHz bands. ANACOM administrator Careto Ferrari commented: ‘We are able to launch the auction in June’. If all of the concessions are sold as planned, the regulator hopes to raise EUR450 million (USD637.1 million).